Another one of these threads from me, on a PPC kick at the moment. Was wondering if there's much interest in the 14" iBook on here and what people's thoughts are on it. Not sure of any major differences other than size, seems like the speakers are even identical pieces. Doesn't seem worthwhile for a 12" owner other than just trying to own all models, at least to me.
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14" iBook thoughts
- Thread starter retta283
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Since the screen isn't higher-resolution than the 12", it's utterly pointless IMHO. Unless you prefer the lower pixel density and larger UI/text, that is.
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On the whole, it's a decent Mac. I got one for my daughter a few years back. Having used mostly PowerBooks I was a little surprised it was as decent as it was in handling things, but other than that it doesn't really stand out (to me anyway).
But the DC-In board eventually started having issues and I'm not one to mess with the inside of iBooks, so it's sat for quite a while. I have the part, from a spare system that's in pieces, but I just haven't gotten around to messing with it.
But the DC-In board eventually started having issues and I'm not one to mess with the inside of iBooks, so it's sat for quite a while. I have the part, from a spare system that's in pieces, but I just haven't gotten around to messing with it.
It was my daily driver from new in August 2006 (replacing my indigo clamshell whose DC-in board was faulty) through 2009. It went in for logic board service under AppleCare, and even after, it was still touchy if moved.
Because of the same construction and polycarbonate shell the 12" model used, it felt more fragile over time (and, to be honest, it was). The only positive things going for it was the fastest G4 clock speed in the iBook line and the SuperDrive (which I did use frequently). That, plus a pretty substantial deal buying it discounted after it was discontinued, along with my education discount at the time.
The monitor was a huge drawback and I never cared for it. Plus, the body flex of the polycarbonate shell meant the keyboard eventually rubbed a line into the anti-glare coating.
I try to avoid them at all costs given their lack of parts interchangeability with other models.
Because of the same construction and polycarbonate shell the 12" model used, it felt more fragile over time (and, to be honest, it was). The only positive things going for it was the fastest G4 clock speed in the iBook line and the SuperDrive (which I did use frequently). That, plus a pretty substantial deal buying it discounted after it was discontinued, along with my education discount at the time.
The monitor was a huge drawback and I never cared for it. Plus, the body flex of the polycarbonate shell meant the keyboard eventually rubbed a line into the anti-glare coating.
I try to avoid them at all costs given their lack of parts interchangeability with other models.
Fortunately, I can attest that the DC-in board replacement access on these iBooks isn’t quite as involved as doing the same with a 17" or 15" PowerBook G4. A big reason for this is much of the DC-in board access on iBooks (clamshells excepted) happens from underneath once the bottom case is removed, whereas the 15"/17" PowerBooks require removing the top case, then other connections and components, before finally getting to the board.
But while you’re in there, you’ll quickly see one of the fatal design flaws on iBooks (again, non-clamshell): the flat cable from the DC-in board to the logic board runs across a lot of sensitive logic board stuff, including some integrated circuits (esp. with the 12"), and there is no room to give if the iBook’s rubber feet pop off (as they often do) and the laptop experiences internal sandwiching of downward pressure from the user. All that pressure falls to the logic board. 🙃
I have a couple and I think I prefer the design aesthetically to its smaller sibling but apart from being slightly kinder to the harder of seeing, I am not sure what Apple's selling point was regarding these. They really don't offer any hardware benefits over the 12" (except for the final iBook G4) and they cost more.
Sadly, they also don't even offer better thermal dissipation although they have more room to play with. I have a 14" iBook G3 that has a less than stable graphics chip.
Sadly, they also don't even offer better thermal dissipation although they have more room to play with. I have a 14" iBook G3 that has a less than stable graphics chip.
I became the owner of my first one of these a few months ago. Randomly scrolling eBay one day, just couldn't pass it up with a $20 minimum bid and the auction about to end. It's the latest/greatest 1.42 GHz with its original 4200 rpm HDD and the 32 MB Radeon 9550. I added a 512 MB stick to bring the RAM up to 1 GB. It runs Leopard like a champ and wicknix's Lubuntu 16 Remix acceptably.
I bought it because I was looking for a Core Image-capable PPC portable, since I'd made the mistake of selling off my last DLSD to a member here (thought I had enough parts lying around for another one, but when I went to build it, turned out I was short a logic board
). I have a 1.33 GHz 12-in PBG4, but its GeForce FX5200 sucks at CI, and I wanted something that would run Leo better. So I thought I'd give that cheap iBook a shot.
Never thought it would happen, but I've learned to love this thing. When I got it, I took it out of the box and was just, "Meh. No wonder I never liked these." But even with the slow spinner, it has zero issues running Leo and is only a tad slower w/Lubuntu 16. It's sturdy and I don't have to worry about denting or bending aluminum, which makes it a perfect beater/knockabout laptop. It's not that I knock my computers around, I don't, but it's still nice not worrying about it - a luxury I never had with my aluminum PowerBooks.
There's nothing awesome about it but it's solid, it's good, and for how I use it that's good enough for me. Sooner or later I'll have to get inside it, and I'm sure that will suck, but I knew what I was getting into there. If it breaks, I'll probably buy another one, and for what these cost I could easily buy three or more decent units for what I'd pay for one good DLSD. There's millions of these things out there and I'll never run out of parts.
I bought it because I was looking for a Core Image-capable PPC portable, since I'd made the mistake of selling off my last DLSD to a member here (thought I had enough parts lying around for another one, but when I went to build it, turned out I was short a logic board
). I have a 1.33 GHz 12-in PBG4, but its GeForce FX5200 sucks at CI, and I wanted something that would run Leo better. So I thought I'd give that cheap iBook a shot.Never thought it would happen, but I've learned to love this thing. When I got it, I took it out of the box and was just, "Meh. No wonder I never liked these." But even with the slow spinner, it has zero issues running Leo and is only a tad slower w/Lubuntu 16. It's sturdy and I don't have to worry about denting or bending aluminum, which makes it a perfect beater/knockabout laptop. It's not that I knock my computers around, I don't, but it's still nice not worrying about it - a luxury I never had with my aluminum PowerBooks.
There's nothing awesome about it but it's solid, it's good, and for how I use it that's good enough for me. Sooner or later I'll have to get inside it, and I'm sure that will suck, but I knew what I was getting into there. If it breaks, I'll probably buy another one, and for what these cost I could easily buy three or more decent units for what I'd pay for one good DLSD. There's millions of these things out there and I'll never run out of parts.
Actually, I do prefer that. I know it doesn't make sense, but comparing my 12-inch PBG4's screen side-by-side with this iBook, I'll take the iBook all day long. And I do. It'd be nice to have better resolution, but I can live with it as is, and the overall characteristics of the machine make it worthwhile for me.
The Mid-2005 12" iBook G4 is the better PPC ultraportable due to the 9550 and I'm not letting go of mine that I found in very good condition for like 20 bucks.
It doesn't have to. All that matters is: it works for you.
The plastic on mine seemed superior to that on my 12" - I've seen iBooks that are almost 2 tone but the 14" I had was purest white - it looked like it was carved from a block of polycarbonate!
I had no complaints with mine.
I had no complaints with mine.
This gets into the pros/cons of the aesthetic of iBooks/12" PowerBooks, PowerBooks look newer as long as they don't get dented scratched, iBooks are pretty sturdy but they discolor and don't look as good after a while. My 12" G4 is okay, my older G3 one was very white but I parted it out a few years ago.
Yeah same with my 12" G3, perfectly white; oddly, the only yellowed part is the ethernet port
I always thought that the 14" iBooks looked a bit goofy, what with the keyboard being the exact same size, awkwardly slapped in the center.
And the fact that the resolution is the same as the 12" is a bit stupid
But I'd never want to get a 14", let alone another iBook tbh
I have two of these in working order these days, one a first-gen G4 1.0GHz model and the other the final 1.42GHz model. The 1.0 is my main 'beater' PowerPC Mac, having been torn apart by me a number of times now, having various components replaced, some logic board work done (replacing broken/ripped-out ports), stuff like that. It looks pretty darn good for what it is! The other 1.42GHz machine is pristine without a bit of wear or discoloration on it, and came in its original box. It mostly sits in my closet in its box.
I like 'em for what they are, though I'm more likely to use my 1.5GHz 12" PowerBook for most of my PowerPC desires, as I'm more nostalgic for that machine since it served me all through college. The 14" 1GHz machine has really grown on me lately, probably because I've put some much work into it at this point. It's honestly a surprisingly decent machine.
I do still think the 14" iBooks look a bit odd and frumpy, though
I like 'em for what they are, though I'm more likely to use my 1.5GHz 12" PowerBook for most of my PowerPC desires, as I'm more nostalgic for that machine since it served me all through college. The 14" 1GHz machine has really grown on me lately, probably because I've put some much work into it at this point. It's honestly a surprisingly decent machine.
I do still think the 14" iBooks look a bit odd and frumpy, though
From a longevity standpoint, I'm a little iffy on the G4 iBooks since the BGA/GPU issues were arguably never fully resolved, and I also remember reading about VRM issues on some of the earlier model G4 iBooks. That and accessing the hard drive was one of the worst upgrading experiences I've ever endured on any brand/model of laptop.
That being said, I love the aesthetics of the opaque white models.
But back to being on topic, I had a 14" 700 Mhz G3 iBook through my undergrad. While the extra physical screen real estate and extra hour of battery life were nice, it was an absolute bear to lug around campus, compared to the lithe 12" iBooks I'd see my friends toting around. In retrospect, Apple really made a mistake by not upping the resolution on the 14".
For enthusiasts -- especially those who own a 12" -- I honestly don't see the point unless you're a collector.
That being said, I love the aesthetics of the opaque white models.
But back to being on topic, I had a 14" 700 Mhz G3 iBook through my undergrad. While the extra physical screen real estate and extra hour of battery life were nice, it was an absolute bear to lug around campus, compared to the lithe 12" iBooks I'd see my friends toting around. In retrospect, Apple really made a mistake by not upping the resolution on the 14".
For enthusiasts -- especially those who own a 12" -- I honestly don't see the point unless you're a collector.
I like the aesthetics of both the 12” and the 14”, but at the same clock speed of 1.33 GHz the 14” stays cool and the fan never kicks in, whereas heat dissipation on the 12” seems to be a bit more of a problem as the fan kicks in much sooner and at full speed.
therefore I prefer the 14”
therefore I prefer the 14”
My 12" stays very cool and is nearly silent about 95% of the time. I haven't had a 12" PB since I sold my 867 MHz "FireBook" as some people used to call that first revision, mine was really bad. Could barely use it on my lap without a blanket or something in between.
Then I'd very much like to know what the speed of your 12" is - I gotta admit my 1.2 GHz 12" stays very cool and quiet too
At least they didn't release a 15" 1024x768 iBook